January 2015 Surgery Sisters

Concernedhubbyalan- I am so sorry you and your wife are going through this. My sweet husband has been by my side all along and it has been so comforting. This will only bring you closer as a couple. We had some big plans for ourselves too and then breast cancer came along. Keep being the amazing husband you are! I hope she heals quickly.

I had my BMX on the 14th of January with TE installed at the same time. My surgery was planned for 40 days so the first 5 weeks it was easy to ignore. I decided just before Christmas that my"soon to expire" breasts should get to experience a farewell tour, much like sports stars get. We visited Philly, Iowa, Missouri and my final weekend before surgery I went to Florida. I had some great friends that helped keep my mind off my surgery. We even made a bust of my bust. I was never uneasy or unsure of my choice but definitely was ready for it to be over with,

I have had those days where I felt invincible and paid for it the next day but now I'm mildly concerned that I should be able to back away from pain pills and just go to OTC. I know everyone's mileage will vary but I'm just hoping that I'm normal and not a wimp. I'm also blessed that my PS doesn't feel we need to add anymore Volume to my TE's. Now, it's a 3 month wait for my new girls.

Oncology appointment is Tuesday, ready for that day to be past as well and know what else just got dished up for me.

I have also been blessed beyond measure by a husband that never left my side except while I was in surgery. He slept in the lovely recliners and handled all of my drain draining and showered me the first week.

Oh, I was also fortunate enough to have nipple and aereola sparring surgery.

Guess I drifted all over, I apologize. My big questions:

How long did your pain stay at the level that OTC didn't manage?

Good luck to everyone with surgeries, God Bless us all

Lora

Closer? Maybe not after tonight. I owe her 50 dollars now. Thanks for nothing, Seahawks.  

All kidding and gambling debts aside, the time we have spent together trapped in hospital rooms has been really cool. I thought after 10 years of marriage I knew everything about her, but I was wrong. She's also a master card counter. When she was up to it, we played Gin Rummy and she beat me like a rented mule every game. After the fourth loss in a row, my DW admitted she can count cards.

After this was all over with, we planned on going to France and Italy. I'm thinking Vegas now.

justamy- Good luck on your surgery. I'll send positive and healing thoughts your way.

To all the women who were discussing the sensitivity around scar areas from drains and node removal site..I had and still have that problem. I still cant stand anything touching those areas. It's almost painful but hesitate to call it that. I hope it goes away !

6 days after surgery. Pain level 2 out of 10. Starting to reduce all meds. 2 drains. At home. Kids at school. And all of a sudden uncontrolled cry. For few minutes. I knew it should be expected but still very emotional. Boobs look good and almost no limitation in motion. Waiting for pathology to come back. Sending big hug to all of you!

I'm about 3.5 weeks out from my MX (but no TE yet) and I don't even really think about taking anything for pain. The area gets a little sensitive as the day wears on, but it isn't painful per se. I have one spot that still hurts a bit and will ask my surgeon this Thursday if that's normal or not. I imagine it is. Overall, though, I feel better and better each day.

Shelly1974....loved your post and yes, it is okay to cry and so good to know that you are one of us...normal!  Just what horsemom said...she is right! 

KjAgent -- congrats on being cancer free! I'm three weeks past my lumpectomy and ALND, and my right armpit area is still recovering. After driving the kids to and from school, to and from work, and doing my job, I feel like my arm is ready to fall off. My sons go to bed between 8:00 and 8:30 pm, and I'm not far behind them.....

Just came back to the hospital after feeding our feline children. Lucky for me and my wallet, Diamond Jen is asleep. When I go back to work on the 16th, I guess it will be ramen, ramen, and more ramen for lunch. The lady doesn't take IOU's.

Anyway, the wound care specialist took a look at her reconstructed right breast and said the will need surgical debridement in addition to the lavage therapy he ordered. We both told the PS that under no circumstances would we try another reconstruction. If it has to b removed, fine. (My DW says she'll be the only person she knows of to have a trilateral mastectomy--she somehow retained a sense of humor through this.) She'll wear a prosthetic temporarily until she finishes her cancer treatment. The oncololgist told her it could wait, but she wants get this over with ASAP.

To all the ladies who have posted, post op. Thanks so much. I am scheduled for ALND left side on February 12 and it helps to have an idea of what to expect. BTW, if anyone is starting rads, how long after surgery and how long till you could raise your arm? Love, Jean

Jean, my RO wanted me to wait at least 4 weeks after surgery before starting rads. I had surgery on 1/9 and will get a CT scan tomorrow (2/4) so that he can start the simulation.

Great note Positive_Spirit!  I did not start feeling better until a week post op as that is when I went pain free.  However, the extenders still give me grief, but I am sure hoping that changes in time.  I can hardly walk for long periods of time before they start to hurt and reading some post...that might be normal.  I want the real norma back...as well as the others.  Hang in there everyone!

Jmo06 -- Great news about your Mom!

zjrosenthal (Jean) -- Thanks for the inspirational thoughts! I was up at 4:00 am, too, but worried about one of my sons who has autism (his meds are a mess). We all have our burdens to carry -- hope you can find some peace of mind regarding your surgery.